Patients' experience of temporary tracheostomy after microvascular reconstruction for cancer of the head and neck

A temporary tracheostomy is commonly done in patients who have reconstruction after the ablation of advanced oral cancer to provide easy access to a secure airway in case a haematoma forms or the patient needs a return to theatre. Although relatively simple to do, we know little about the patients' experience, and to find out, we designed a three-stage study. First, we conducted semi-structured interviews to identify items related to the functional, emotional, and social impacts of the tracheostomy, on the ward and on removal (n=15 patients). Secondly, we used these items to develop a short, one-page questionnaire in collaboration with the Patient and Carer Support Group and Research Forum, and thirdly, we did a cross-sectional postal survey of 125 patients who had had a temporary tracheostomy as part of free tissue reconstruction between January 2013 and July 2015. Of them, 86 responded (69% response rate). Generally patients reported a negative experience. In the cross-sectional survey most responders (n=52, 60%) stated that they would "very much" avoid a tracheostomy if at all possible. The main problems concerned fear and communication, and between one-third and one-half stated that they had had "very much" or "quite a bit" of a problem in regard to choking, discomfort, attracting attention, sleeping, and general management (other than the suctioning). This feedback should form part of the information that is given to patients; it should also enable us to reflect on optimal perioperative care, and help to inform the debate about the selection criteria. (C) 2016 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.